Flexible gaff



sept. 29, 1925.

H. M. Lu'rz FLEXIBLE @Arr Filed Dec. 11, 1923 A TTHNEYS Patented Sept. 29, 41925i.

y 1,555,74e` mirri-:Nr vterrier..

HENRY M: YJUJJZQ.` 0F ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

FLEXIBLE Garn.

Application led December 11, 1923'. Serial No. 679,983.,

It is one of the primary objects of the invention to provide a flexible gaif which can be advantageously used where gaffs of the conventional type having rigid handles are impracticable, such, for example, when landing fish on piers and the like. Y

It is a further object of the invention to construct the gaff in sections in order that a portion thereof may be removed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for illuminating the hook end of the gaff to adapt the device for night use especially.

It is a further object of the invention to construct the gaff in such a manner that the illuminating element thereof may be entirely removed when desired.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a gaff constructed in accordance with the present invention; A

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the elements employed;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, the reference character 5 designates a body portion which is substantially conical shape, and secured to the body portion there is a plurality of hooks 6, such hooks projecting from the lower end of the body portion. The body portion 5 is provided with a screwthreaded recess 7 and adapted to be received therein, there is a rigid section 8, having a reduced screw-threaded end for reception in the recessy 7 The opposite end of the rigid section 8 is provided with an internally screw-threaded recess 9, and adapted to be carried by the rigid section 8 there is a guard member 10. This guard member 10 has a screw-threaded projection 11 for reception in' `the screw-threaded recess 9. The' guard member lfcornpri'ses a plurality of arms f2, preferably equidistantly-spaced, and the upper ends of the arms 12 are connected by a ring 13. As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, this ring 13 is split, as at 14, and provided with oppositely disposed ears 15. Passing through the ears 15, there is a bolt 16 carrying a wing nut 17. The reference numeral 15 designates the head of an ordinary flashlight, and such head comprises a housing 16', a refiector 17', an incandescent lamp 18, and

. a lens 19, the lens 19 being held in position by a threaded band 20.

The split ring 13 heretofore mentioned is adapted to pass around the screw-thread ed band 20, as shown in Fig. 1, and such split ring is then contracted through the medium of the bolt 16, to cause the same to firmly grip the flashlight head member to retain the guard member 10 securely attached thereto. f

Connected to the head member there is a cable 21, and such cable is connected at its other end, as at 22, to a battery carrier 23 having the usual control switch 24e. The cable 21, in addition to serving the means for conducting electric current from the batteries contained within the battery carrier 23, serves as the flexible body of the galf,

and this length of cable may be determined' in order to meet the requirements of practical use which depends largely upon the local conditions under which the fishing operations are carried out.

The device functions in l the following manner:

- When the article is used at night, it is lowered into the water below the fish which has previously been hooked on the tackle and by a sudden pull on the cable the fish will be hooked upon one of the hooks 6 of the gaif, it being understood that the light may be turned on if desired, in order to facilitate this operation. After the fish has been hooked on the gaff, it is landed by merely pulling on the cable 21 until the fish has been safely landed. When the device is used in the daytime, however, the guard member 12 is detached from the cable 21 by unscrewing the cable at the point designated by the numeral 30, and unscrewing the guard member from the rigid section 8, and the screw-threaded recess 9 in the rigid section 8 is adapted to receive the plug on the end of the cable 21. With the parts in this position, the lamp is eliminated and the cable 2l is connected directly to the rigid section 8. However, the ga is operated in the same manner either with or without the lighting attachment.

While in the present illustration of the device the battery carrier 23 is shown at th e end of the cable 21, it is obvious that the battery carrier may be inserted or intro'- duced between the ends of the cable, if desired. It is also to be lunderstood that the several joints of the flashlight head will be constructed in a suitable watertight manner in order to prevent the entrance of water to the interior parts thereof.

What is claimed is:

In a device of the character described, a body, a plurality of hooks carried thereby, a rigid member removably secured to the body, a guard removably Secured to the 'rigid member, and a split ring carried by the guard, as and for the purpose set forth.

HENRY M. LUTZ. 

